D&D (2024) Armor in the AC part of statblock

[Zaukrie]

Some of my players are scavengers, they will want to loot pieces of armor.

And there's the description: it helps to notify the player that that goblin in chainmail or orc in full pate isnt your average foe.

Its the same thing with weapons. Why do they need to tell me what weapons the goblins is using? Just tell me the damage they deal.

I'm not sure I buy that last point, but I appreciate your response!

 

[Horwath]

I care.

Armor class 17 doesn't tell me enough. Is it due to half-plate, tough skin, high dexterity and training, a shield, magic, or some combination of the above? Further, certain magic (heat metal, dispel magic) requires knowledge of how the AC is determined.

I don't need 3e style breakdowns, but I want better than "AC 17, because that's what a monster of that level should have"

I actually prefer 3.5e breakdowns.
It's just one line of text, you can ignore it if you want to.

I.E:
AC 22 (10 +1(dex) +8(plate) +2(shield) +1(natural))

 

[Remathilis]

I actually prefer 3.5e breakdowns.
It's just one line of text, you can ignore it if you want to.

I.E:
AC 22 (10 +1(dex) +8(plate) +2(shield) +1(natural))

See, I don't need an accounting for every bonus. I just want to know how the designers envisioned they got a high AC.

 

[Zaukrie]

I actually prefer 3.5e breakdowns.
It's just one line of text, you can ignore it if you want to.

I.E:
AC 22 (10 +1(dex) +8(plate) +2(shield) +1(natural))

I hated that so much. Imo, but that's another topic entirely.

 

[Charlaquin]

Describing what armor the monsters or NPCs are wearing can give the players a rough sense of what their AC is likely to be without just directly telling them the number. More importantly, noting the armor in the stat block lets the DM know how to adjust the monster’s or NPC’s AC if they want to have one with different armor, or no armor.

 

[Morrus]

I guess having information is better for me than not having information. If I have it but don't need it, I can ignore it. If I need it and don't have it, I don't have an easy option.

 

[Incenjucar]

If nothing else, there are scenarios in which you can get a humanoid monster out of their armor.

 

[Zaukrie]

If nothing else, there are scenarios in which you can get a humanoid monster out of their armor.

Sure, but then just lower the number randomly.....but I get others are really into exact numbers.

 

[Incenjucar]

Sure, but then just lower the number randomly.....but I get others are really into exact numbers.

Randomization is generally fine until it becomes a thing to point at as to why there was a party wipe.

 

[codo]

Sure, but then just lower the number randomly.....but I get others are really into exact numbers.

As much as I can hate all of the arguments insisting on verisimilitude sometimes. That is the answer. I have a problem when people insist that verisimilitude is the most important factor in the game. More important than balance, easy of use, or even fun. With things like including the armor type in the AC, don't actually cause any of those problems. Verisimilitude isn't a bad thing. If you have a chance to add it with out causing any other problems or adding addition overhead, why not add it in? It is never a bad idea to make you game world more lifelike or realistic.